This letter is written to those offering prayer support.  30 July 2011

One common problem with boats is that owners do not realise the maintenance that is necessary. Sometimes they become aware of some problems and resolve them, but other important items remain neglected. Often this ignorance is because safety is about being prepared for what may never happen. How many times have owners said: “we never had any problems all these years”? (They said that about the ‘Titanic’.) The shortfalls may never be discovered until it is too late!

On past vessels I have found fire extinguishers dated 1977, seacocks that do not stop the water flow, bilges full of cable ties that clog the bilge pumps, a compass with no deviation card and 17º error with loose magnets and a test EPIRB fitted that sends a signal ‘please ignore this is only a test!’ It was unusual this year to improvise with a ‘manually operated fuel lift pump’ (dinghy outboard petrol line bulb); this was partly due to an injection pump internal valve missing!

As we are about to lift out on Tuesday, we are very short of help (as we operate on a volunteer basis.) However help appears from the most unlikely of places. This year we have had more non-Christian help than Christian!

Although the aim is to refit ‘Soteria’ ready for Christian use, I wonder how much we can witness on the way, during the process?

  • Please pray for our time out of the water
  • The people to help both paid and unpaid
  • That Vicky does not run out of money!
  • An effective witness in whatever way God chooses
  • That we find an effective way to market Christian trips and to reach the right people

Blessings,
Chris.